Scrap bunch machine



Nov. 19, 1935. J. F. HALSTEAD SCRAP BUNCH MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 25

FIG 2 TORNEY Nov. 19, 1935.

J. F. HALSTEAD SCRAP BUNCH MACHINE Filed Sept. 25, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 D b m U 6 W. w 2 B a w 3 it? 2 u a 5 6 a u y y m e q d F 0 W i m mum M. .II "13 0 2 y a]. 2 H m oz v M/ 2 v w T w 3 a 0 w #2 M 4 MN ||ii III! I! i 1 I 1 5 2 Q i? J 7. a 2 W flmwgflfi w iwwzzig m W F Nov. 19, 1935. J. F. HALSTEAD 2,021,652

SCRAP BUNCH MACHINE Filed Sept. 25, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 112 1/3 32 72 63 11 ja469 /]].3 1, l i

O INVENTOR @aterited Nova 51%, 1%35 genera 2dl21d35$ @GRAP BUNCH M lCEENlE tohn mllllalstead, Brooklyn, Isl. SE21, assignor to Hnternational Elgar Machinery (Company, a corporation of New uHersey Application September as, rose, Serial No; macro re Claims. lei. iii-r2) This invention relates to scrap bunch cigar machines, the machine herein described being an improvement on the machine disclosed in Patent No. 1,915,525, granted June 27, 1933, on the application of F. C. Gladeclz, et al. The improved machine consists of a stationary tobacco maganine orhopper provided with intermittently oscillating agitators adapted to rake the tobacco towards the outlet of the hopper, an oscillating transfer pocket beneath the hopper outlet, an automatically operated spill catcher beneath the transfer pocket, a measuring chamber provided with an automatic gate adapted to be opened to admit tobacco discharged from the transfer pool-set and the spill catcher, charge-compresslng mechanism controlling the operation of the transfer pocket, a charge-cutting and transfer unit including a swinging charge-measuring pocket, and a bunch rolling mechanism.

The scrap tobacco is placed in the hopper in which it is agitated and carried irom both sides thereof towards a centrally located outlet by two sets of agitators which are so actuated as to move a the tobacco mass on their forward swing but to leave it practically undisturbed on their return swing. Below the outlet of the hopper is an oscillating horizontal drum-shaped structure con-e ing position, the pocket-closing knives are open so that tobacco raised by the agitators can fill the p pocket. Thereupon the drum makes its forward half-turn, at the start of which the knives-fare" closed and at the end of which they are reopened, permitting the charge to drop into a measuring chamber therebelow, the cam-operated gate of the latter having opened before the forward turn of the transfer pocket. After the pocket has returned to starting position, the knives, which were closed upon movement of the pocket from the delivery position, are again opened to receive a new charge, and the gate of the measuring chamber is closed and the column of loose tobacco therein'isrpushed by a horizontally slidable .spring-tensioned plunger into a, charge-measuring pocket into which it is thereby compressed to the proper density determined by the adjust ment of the plunger spring. Beneath the discharge opening of the houslngin which the transfor pocket oscillates there is pivoted a, curved tray linked to the operating lever of the measuring chamber gate; this tray covering the said discharge opening while said gate is closed, thus catching any tobacco which may have been de layed in itsvfall through the discharge opening until the gate is closed, and discharging it into the measuring chamber when the gate is open. To'provide against scanty bunch charges, the transfer pocket, as in the machine of the patent referred to above, is designed.v to hold an excessive quantity of tobacco, and the compressing plunger is provided with the ratchet drive de m scribed in the patent cited above to stop the oscillation of the pocket for one cycle whenever surplus tobacco sufficient at least fora full charge has accumulated in the measuring chamber. The

cross-section of the charge-measuring pocket,

,.'instead of having a height greater than its length,

,of the charge-cutting knife necessary to sever a charge is materially reduced. The charge-meas- 2Q uring pocket with the cut charge is then turned into vertical position so that the horizontal length of the chamber becomes the height ofthe bunch charge delivered to the rolling apron, the charge ejecting plunger acting on the inner end of them; charge and compressing it to a substantially square section. Accordingly, the main object of the invention is the production of an improved machine having a novel combination of elements and a novel mode of operation. 313

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which like char esters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the improved scrap bunch mac "e;"

,Fig; 2 is an end elevation of the same, on line 2--2 of Fig. l; Figs. 1A and 2A are detail sections of Figs. 1 and 2, respectively, showing the drive of the hop 6 per agitators;

Fig. 2B is a detail plan view on line 23-23 of 1: Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the charge receiving and transfer unit; Fig. 4 is a sectional end elevation of the same, on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged end elevation of the charge cutting and delivery unit, on line 5-45 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation on line 6-6 of Fig. 5; g and Fig. 7 isa plan view on line l-'l of Fig. 5.

In" carrying the invention into effect there is provided a hopper for holding asupply of scrap tobacco, the hopper being provided with an outlet, a transfer pocket underlying said outlet, a measuring chamber underlying the pocket and provided with a hinged gate adapted to be swung open to admit tobacco to the measuring chamber, mechanism for intermittently oscillating the pocket to move it into registry with the outlet of the hopper to receive a quantity of tobacco there'- from and then carry said quantity into position above the measuring chamber for delivery thereto, means independent of said mechanism for swinging open the gate while the pocket is in filling position and keeping the gate open while the pocket oscillates, knives coasting to separate the quantity of tobacco in the pocket from the mass of tobacco in the hopper and then confine it in the pocket while it is being carried into position above the measuring chamber, meansfor closing and separating the knives, means for compressing the tobacco deposited in the chamber, and means for severing a bunch charge from the compressed column of tobacco in the chamber and transferring the severed charge to bunch rolling position. In the best constructions contemplated there is also provided opposed sets of oscillatory agitators in the hopper for raking the mass of tobacco from the sides of the hopper toward the outlet, and the charge-severing and transferring means includes a vertically reciprocable slide-rod, achargecutting knife supported from said rod, a chargemeasuring pocket normally supported from said rod in a horizontal position aligned with the measuring chamber to form a continuation thereof, a device for turning the pocket into vertical position after the charge therein has been severed by the knife, and mechanism for ejecting the charge from the pocket when the latter is in a. vertical position.

These various means and parts may be widely varied in construction for the particular machine selected to illustrate the invention is but one of many possible concrete embodiments of the same. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted to the specific construction shown and described.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, side frames l5, l5 support a table l6 upon which are mounted pedestals l1, IT, a support block l8, and a pedestal frame I 9. The frames |5 also support the main shaft 20 of the machine which is driven in the manner shown in the above mentioned patent. The shaft 20 carries cams 25, 26 and 21 which actuate cam levers fulcrumed on a shaft 29 journaled in frame I 5 and a bearing 28.

The pedestals H, H support the hopper 30 and carry a shaft 3| on which the oscillatory transfer pocket 63 is mounted, as will be presently described. The support block l8 carries the measuring chamber 33 and the bar 34 on whichthe charge-compressing plunger 35 is slidably mounted as hereinafter described. On the pedestal frame I9 is mounted. the charge-measuring pocket 36, normally forming a continuation of the measuring chamber 33, and constituting a part of the charge-cutting and transfer unit 31.

To the base I5 is attached the bunch rolling table 38 over which swing-s the bunch rolling pin 39- and 5| and chain 52. The shaft 2| is oscillated by means of the arm 22 fixed thereon and connected by a rod 83 to a cam lever 84 having a roller in engagement with the track of the face of cam 25. A pawl 23 carried by an arm 24 5 fixed to shaft 2| engages with a ratchet 45 attached to sprocket 50 which is loose on shaft 2|. A retaining pawl 23' pivoted on pedestal prevents the ratchet from turning backward on the return of the driving pawl 23. On shaft 49 is 10 mounted a crank 46 connected by a bar 48 to shaft 42. The bar 48 is in turn connected by a. link 51 to an arm 58 on shaft 4 I. By this linkage the ends of agitators 41 are forced to describe a path 59, Fig. l, and the ends of agitators 41 de- 15 scribe a path 60, the' advance of the agitators along these paths causing the mass of tobacco in the hopper to be raked by the agitators from both sides of the hopper towards the centrally located outlet, while their return movement 20- causes the agitators to move more or less axially and thus not to affect the tobacco mass to any substantial degree.

To prevent jerkiness in the motion of the agitators due to the change of relative position of the 25 counterweight of balance arm 43, the sprocket 5| has attached to it a concentric ring 6| into an annular internal groove of which an open circular spring 62 is inserted, Figs. 1A and 2A. One of the inturned ends of this spring, namely the 30 trailing end with respect to the direction of rotation of the ring 6|, engages a pin 68 fastene d in bracket 44 so that the sprocket 5| in turning has to overcome the friction of spring 62 against ring 5|, thereby providing a smooth motionv of the 35 agitator linkage.

This improved motion is quite important be cause it assures complete filling of the transfer pocket. The old type agitator moved in one direction only and tended to lift the tobacco up 40 against the rear corner of the hopper with .the result that it packed the tobacco there so hard that it would break the hinges of the cover. With the old construction the side of the hopper from which the agitators moved would be left empty 45 and therefore'tend to leave the corner of the pocket adjacent that side empty with resultant lack of uniformity of the bunch charges, especially when the tobacco was low in the hopper.

The shaft 3| is journaled in the pedestals H, 50 I1 and alternately turned forward and back by means of a gear 53 thereon meshing with a reciprocating rack 54 connected by a rod III to a cam lever 55 carrying a roller 56 engaging in the track of face cam 25. The rack 54 is guided by 55 a flanged roller 1| turning on a stud carried by pedestal Loose on shaft 3| are gear segments l2 and 13, Figs. 3 and 4, to the hubs of which are keyed the transfer pocket 63 and the arm 14 respectively. The arm 14 carries an arc= 00 uate knife 66 coacting with the arcuate knife 61 fastened to a spider l5 keyed to shaft 3| to separate the quantity of tobacco in the pocket 63 from the mass of tobacco in the hopper 30 from which the pocket is filled, and confine said quantity inthe pocket, as will be presently described. The hub of pocket 53 carries radial spokes I6, and the guide ring 32 at one end of the pocket 63 is secured thereto and to the spokes 16 by screws passing through countersunk holes 7 in;the ring, the guide ring 32 at the other end of the pocket 53 being secured to that end of the pocket 53. The pocket 63 is provided with removable inserts 64 which may be replaced by inserts of different thickness to adapt the maa dress chine to bunches of widely difiering sizes, and the outer side faces of the pocket 63 are fitted withresilient pads 65 which act as bufiers for the lever it and the spider l5 in their closed position. One arm of the spider it carries a horizontal shaft ll. On the inner end of the shaft ii are keyed two epicyclic gears it and it meshing with the gear segments l2 and it, respectively, to oscillate the pocket t3 and lever it, as will be presently described.

While the pocket is in transit from filling to discharging position the knives db and til are normally held closed by coil springs 59, 6Q anchored to posts we and Hit in the rings'32, the spring 69 being connected to a post N5 in arm l5, and the spring 69' being connected to a post tilt in a lug ldll of arm PM. When the pocket 53 is in filling position the lug illl rests against a stop screw its, Fig. 2, carried by a block lid attached to pedestal i'l, thereby holding the knife 66 open, the knife 6? having been relatively moved into open position with respect to pocket 63 by means which will now be described.

During the downstroke of the rack 56 the shaft 8i is turned in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. l, and the spider 15 moves the knife t'l inwardly over the pocket 83 while the latter is at filling position, until the spider l5 meets the buffer 65 on pocket 63, whereupon the latter is also turned in a clockwise direction and swung away from its filling position under the outlet of the hopper 30. Upon movement of the pocket 63 away from filling position the lug it! is disengaged from the stop screw i109, permitting the spring 69' to pull the-arm id toward the pocket 53 and move the knife 66 inwardly thereover until the arm it meets the buffer 6% on pocket $3 to coact with the knife 61 to sever any scraps of tobacco which may project between the knives t6 and Si and then confine the tobacco in the pocket 63. While the spider "i5 is moving to-= ward the pocket t3 and the knife tit is being moved inwardly thereover by the arm it, the gear segment it keyed to arm it turns the epicyclic gear it with the shaft Ti, thereby causing the epicyclic gear 78 to drive the gear segment E2 to turn the pocket 63 toward the spider it until it meets the latter. Upon engagement of spider l5 with the pocket 63, the epicyclic gears iii and it! remain idle on the shaft ll until the arm dd on the latter meets the stationary roller til supported by a bracket 88 attached to pedestal ii, at which time the pocket 63 is moving into discharging position. As the arm 8@ is thus turned back by the roller 87 the shaft if is turned back with the epicyclic gears it and Y9, whereby the gear 18 drives the gear segment l2 and moves the pocket 63 relative to the knife 6'1! into discharging position and the gear 19 drives the gear segment 13 to swing the arm it with the knife 66 out from the closed position of the latter and into open position with respect to the discharging position of pocket 53.

Upon the upward stroke of rack 54 the spider is turned with the shaft 3i, whereby the arm is disengaged from the roller 81, permitting the guide ring 32 and pocket 63 to be turned with the spider 15 by means of the spring 69 and thus returning the pocket 63 to its clo:ed

position under the knife 61, and permitting the spring 69' to return the arm I4 with the knife 68 to the closed position of the latter with respect to the pocket 63. As the spider I5 continues turning with the shaft 3| during the upward stroke of the rack 54 the lug i0! of arm it meets stop screw m9. whereupon the arm fill is stopped while the pocket 63 continues moving relatively to the now stationary knife ht until it reaches filling position. During this movement of the pocket 63 to filling position, while the g movement of the arm it is obstructed by stop screw tilt, the epicyclic gear it is turned by the now stationary gear segment is to cause the epicyclic gear lt to turn the gear segment l2 backwardly with the pocket 63 relative to the m knife bl so that the latter will be in open position when the pocket 63 finally arrives at filling position. i

It will be observed that the hopper outlet is closed by the knife 6? while the pocket 53 is in i5 transit to and from discharging position. For this purpose the length of the knife G'l must be suficient to close the hopper outlet when the knife is at the limit of its forward swing. When the knives t6, t'l are opened at the discharging so and filling positions of the pocket 63, by the roller W or by the stop screw its, respectively, and when they are being closed again on leaving these positions, the relative motion of the parts 63, 6t and El is such that the gap between 28 knives is always central of the pocket.

It may be noted that the knife til, Fig. 3, is positively actuated since it is rigidly connected to the shaft Si, by the spider H5. 'The reason for positively operating the knife or jaw 61 is 30 that this is the knife which cuts off any straggling scraps, by carrying these scraps past a stationary shear blade 66:: arranged beside the path of movement of the jaws as shown in Fig. 2B, and when this knife was spring closed, as so in prior constructions, these scraps would hold the Jaw open against the tension of the spring.

A scraper d'ia prevents scrap from being caught between the wrapper and transfer on its return.

The operation of the knives or parting jaws 40 t5 and $7 is different from those of the machine disclosed in said Patent No. 1,915,525 in that the jaws do not suddenly snap closed before movement of the transfer drum but the jaws close as the transfer pocket starts moving them. An as important difference in the present construction is that the pocket is right up against the bottom of the hopper so that its curvature causes it to enter the hopper outlet so that it is not necessary to give the pocket a separate movement up into so the hopper. This also avoids trouble due tothe tobacco leaking through the space between the knives and the vertical walls of the hopper outlet. Also this makes for a much simpler and cheaper pocket construction and eliminates ex- 55 pensive fitting and machining.

The bottom of pocket 63 is provided with a perforated false bottom ii i and has a. duct i i2 communicating with a pipe H3 fitting into a bore of a disk lid turning on the hub of arm M. The to bore in the disk lid registers with a duct in pedestal if when the pocket 63 is in filling position, so that in this position the contents of the pocket are subjected to the action of suction by means of a pipe H5 communicating through the duct 65 in the pedestal I! with the pipe H3 and connected to a suction chamber H6 attached to base it, the suction chamber being provided with a. pipe i I! leading to a suitable suction unit (not shown). Each quantity of tobacco in the pocket 63 is thus '10 freed of dust as it enters the same.

. The rings 32 are guided by plates i I8 a'tached to lugs H9 of the hopper 39, the lugs H9 also carrying housings BI and M. On a bent rod I20 fastened in a lug of the rear housing 8i there is 75 adjustably mounted a chute I2I which directs the quantity of tobacco T discharged from pocket 63 into a conduit leading to the measuring chamber 33. The tobacco is thrown at an angle to the surface of the chute so that the chute has a placing effect (for instance by tilting the chute, the proper amount of tobacco for tapered bunches can be placed toward one end of the bunch), and also the impact of the tobacco on the chute tends to break up wads of tobacco. With the old constructions, the tobacco was thrown in the direction of the length of the chute so that some tobacco did not even touch-the walls of the chute and therefore the chute had very little placing effect.

The front housing 8|, in lugs provided for this purpose, carries a transverse shaft I22 which is tensioned by a spring I3I and to which a curved tray I32 is affixed, in position to receive any tobacco spillage from the pocket 63, Figs. 1 and 2. The tray I32 is connected by a link I36 to a lever I31 loose on shaft 2I. Link I36 is slotted at its joint with tray I32 to allow lever I31 sufficient movement for opening the gate 82 of (he measuring chamber 33 before swinging out the tray I32 to discharge the accumulated tobacco spillage into the measuring chamber 33.

The lever I31 is actuated by a pin 89 carried by an arm 22 of lever 22, loosely mounted on shaft 2I, this pin engaging with an adjusting screw 90 in lever I31 when actuated by the cam rod 83 from the cam lever 84 controlled by cam 25. The free end of lever I31 is connected by a link I38 with a lever I45 attached to the hinge shaft 9I of gate 82 which is normally held in position to form the top of the measuring chamber 33 with the stop screw I46 of lever I45 in abutting relation with a pin I41 in one of a pair of spaced bars I50, by the action of a spring II fastened to lever I31 and pedestal I1. The bars I50 are supported on a cross-piece 86 fastened to bar 34 and the ledger plate 92 attached to the frame I9. Slidable in holes in bars I50 are ihe pins I50a of a. pair of parallel plates I50b which form the sides of the measuring chamber 33 which thus is made adjustable within given limits, the pins I50a being held in their desired positions by set screws in bars I50. By this means the length of the bunch may be regulated by adjustment of the plates I501). This feature is believed to be new and important as it makes it possible to dispense with several dozen model parts and makes the change over from a bunch of one length to another a. very simple matter.

When the gate 82 is 13811, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, it forms the rear wall of the conduit referred to above, the same having a front wall I52 and side walls I53. The cam 25 is so timed that the gate 82 is opened while pocket 63 is in filling position and remains open at all times whenever there is any movement of the transfer pocket 63, thus allowing all tobacco dribbling from the pocket during such motion to drop into the measuring chamber 33. Only one gate 82 is used instead of two gates as formerly because the edges of the gates came together where the pile of tobacco delivered was highest and pinched tobacco. With one gate as here, the tobacco is directed somewhat away from closing edge of the gate and the gate closes at the point where pile is low.

The column of loose tobacco T deposited in the measuring chamber 33 is forced into the chamber 36 and compressed therein by the plunger 35, Fig. 1; which is fastened to a rod 93 sliding in a lug 94 of slide 95 supported on bar 34. A spring 96 on rod 93 bears against the end of plunger 35 and is adjusted to the proper tension by a block 91 clamped on a rod 98 slidably in the lug 94, the

tension of the spring 96 determining the density 5 of the tobacco compressed by the plunger 35. The slide 95 is connected by a link 99 to a cam lever I00 having a cam roller MI in engagement with the cam groove of face cam 21. In order to gather the column of tobacco T into a more or less paral- 10 lelopipedal shape before compressing the same, the cam track of cam 21 is so shaped '(Fig. 1) that the plunger 35 during its forward movement has a hammering motion, going forward and back a number of times before its final forward stroke, thus obtaining a uniform density in the column of tobacco and eliminating voids. The rod 93 carries a finger I02 which normally engages a trip lever I03 pivoted on support block I8 and connected through a rod I08 to the ratchet drive of 29 the rack 54 to control the same in the manner described in the patent referred to above. When the accumulation of surplus tobacco in the measuring chamber has reached a certain limit, which may correspond to an excess sufficient for one or more additional bunch charges, the plunger 35 does not travel far enough to permit the finger I02 to engage lever I03, whereby the ratchet drive of rack 54 is incapacitated, thus preventing the oscillation of the feed pocket 63 during the next cycle of the machine.

When the charge-measuring pocket 36 has been filled and the tobacco fully compressed by the advance of plunger 35, the vertical rod I23 in 7 frame I9 descends, thereby operating the chargecutting knife I 24 and the charge transfer 31, the rod I23 being actuated by a cam lever I25 having a roller I26 in a track of face cam 21.

To the slide rod I23, Figs. 5 to '1, is clamped a bracket I21 projecting into an opening of a block I28 carried by vertical slides I29 in frame I9 and affixed to said block by a pin I30. The slides I29, which are held in their ways in frame I9 by retaining strips I33, carry the knife I24 and in turn form the slideways for rails I34 Joined by a. tie plate I35. Plates I39 attached to the tops of slide rails I34 and projecting over their slideways, bear on the compression springs I40 seated on .blocks I4I attached to slides I29. In the uppermost position of rod I23 the springs I40 hold the plates I39 against horizontal studs I42 in frame I9. On the downstroke of rod I23 the stop screws I44 in plates I43 on the upper ends of the slides I 29 engage plates I39 and depress the slide rails I34.

On pins I54. in the lower ends of slide rails I34 are pivoted blocks I58 joined by a'plate I59 forming the bottom of the charge measuring pocket 36, the walls forming the sides and the end and the top of pocket 36 being secured to 60 the plate I59. Cam pieces I60 attached to blocks I58 engage pins I6I carried by block's I extending from the bottom ends of strips 433 and thereby turn the pocket 36 downward through one quarter-tum into a vertical position as the same 65" is lowered by the slides I34. Within the pocket 36 there is a plunger I66, the inward movement of which is limited by adjusting screws I61, and the plunger is fixed on guide rods I68 projecting through the wall I59 of pocket 36. After the engagement of the cams I60 with the pins I6I has turned the pocket 36 into the dotted position shown in Fig. 6, the rods I68 are depressed by a horizontal ejecting rod I69 descending with block I28 and the bunch-charge B is thereby aoercsa expelled onto the rolling apron or Chianti belt [155 attached at one end to the bunch rolling table 33 by strip i iii, and secured at its other end to a cam-actuated apron-tightener arm as shown in the above mentioned patent. I'he bunch rolling pin 39 held in blocks it?! carried by yoke M3 on the head it i of the swinging'arm it, then rolls the charge B into a binder previously placed on apron H55 and delivers the bunch B so formed into a clip use at the end of the rolling table.

The ejecting rod its is held in an arm i'ib iulcrumed on a lever iii pivoted in a lug. iii attached to block lZd, and the lever iii is tensioned by a spring lid anchored to a bar li t on block 028. The arm l'it is guided by a bell crank-lever lib pivoted in bracket it? and carry ing a roller Mid adapted to enter the recess of a cam piece Mid supported by frame it. As the block flit descends, the roller t lt snaps into the recess of cam piece ltd, thereby turning the levers iii and lit into the dotted positions shown in Fig. 6, and causing the ejecting rod N39 to depress the rods ltd with the plunger the. By means of the mechanism just described; the plunger 6% compresses the rectangular charge T" in pocket 36 into a substantially square charge 38 on the bunch rolling table before dis charging it, thereby putting it into shape necessary for the formation of a perfectly round bunch E. The spring iiti which controls the' ejecting pressure on the charge T" in the cutting chamhers is adjustable by raising or lowering the bar i'lil which for this purpose is provided with elongated slots for its fastening screws.

' v The charge-measuring pocket which serves to transfer the bunch charge to the Chianti belt has no gate to close its open end. There is little tendency for the tobacco to fall out of this chamber ead of time during transfer because the chamber is lowered while in horizontal position to a point where its open end practically touches the Chianti belt which from then on closes its open end. The relatively narrow charge is delivered at right angles to the Chianti belt and tends to spread out and be broken up to form a bunch without fiat sides and the relatively narrow cut surface also minimizes flats on bunches. The same arrangement makesit possible to secure, a convenient variation in bunch thickness by adjusting the screws it? which limit the inword movement of the plunger use, an important feature of the present device.

The term knife" as applied to the arcuate members db and ti should be understood as being employed in a generic sense to refer to a blade (which may be blunt) or to parting or separating devices to part one portion of a mass of loose material from another. Therefore unspeciflcation and claims is not to be construed as limited to a device havingan edged,cutting or shearing action.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with a hopper for holding,

a supply 0 scrap tobacco, said hopper being prouring chamber for delivery thereto, means in dependent of said mechanism for swinging open said gate while said pocket is in filling position and keeping it open while said pocket oscillates,

knives coacting to separate the quantity of tos bacco in said pocketfrom the mass of tobacco' in said hopper and then confine it in said pocket while it is being carried into position above said measuring chamber, means for closing and separating said knives, means for compressing the in tobacco deposited in said chamber, and means for severing a bunch charge from the compressed per to receive a quantity of tobacco therefrom 2d and then carry said quantity into position above said measuring chafmber for delivery thereto, means independent of said mechanism for swinging open said gate while said pocket is in filling position and keeping it open while said poc et 39 oscillates, knives coacting to separate thequantity of tobacco in said pocket from the massoi tobacco in said hopper and then confine it in said pocket while it is being carried into position above said measuring chamber, means for 5 closing and separating said knives, means for compressing the tobacco deposited in said chamher, and means for severing a bunch charge from the compressed column of tobacco in said chamber and transferring the severed charge to bunch rolling position, said mechanism including a shaft on which said pocket is loosely mounted, a reciprocating rack geared to said shaft, and a spider fast to said shaft and having an arm adapted to move said pocket from filling to discharging position.

3. The combination with a hopper for holding a supply of scrap tobacco, said hopper being provided with an outlet in its bottom, of a transfer pocket underlying said outlet, a measuring 50 chamber underlying said pocket and provided with a hinged gate adapted to be swung open to admit tobacco to the measuring chamber, mech anlsm for intermittently oscillating said pocket to move it into registry with the outlet of said 55 less otherwise specified, this term as used in the vided wit an outlet in its bottom, of a. transfer pocket underlying said outlet, a measuring chamber underlying said pocket and provided with a hinged gate adapted to be swung open assent tobacco to the measuring chamber, mechanism forintermittently oscillating said Pocket to move it into registry with the outlet of said hopper to receive a quantity of tobacco therefrom and then said quantity into position above said mess to, means independent oi? said mechanism for swinging open said gate while said pocket is in ,filling position and keeping it open while said pocket oscillates, knives coacting to separate the quantity of tobacco in said pocket from the mass of tobacco in said hopper and then confine it in said pocket while it is being carried into position above said measuring chamber, means for closing and separating said knives, means for comressing the tobacco deposited in said chamber, d means for severing a bunch charge from the compressed column of tobacco in said chamber and transferring the severed "charge to bunch roiling position, said compressing means including a compressing plunger and mechanism for imparting a hammering motion to said plunger while it is compressing he column of tobacco in said measuring chamber, whereby the tobacco will be distributed evenly in the column. s

4. The combination with a hopper for holding a supply of scrap tobacco, said hopper being pro- 5 vided with an outlet in its bottom, of a transfer pocket underlying said outlet, a measuring chamber underlying said pocket and provided with a hinged gate adapted to be swung open to admit tobacco to the measuring chamber, mechanism for intermittently oscillatingsaid pocket to move it into registry with the outlet of said hopper to receive a quantity of tobacco therefrom and then carry said quantity into position above said measuring chamber for delivery thereto, means independent of said mechanism for swinging open said gate while said pocket is in filling po sition and keeping it open while said pocket oscillates, knives coacting to separate the quantity of tobacco in said pocket from the mass of tobacco in said hopper and then confine it in said pocket while it is being carried into position above said measuring chamber, means for closing and separating said knives, means for compressing the tobacco deposited in said chamber, and 25. means for severing a bunch charge from the compressed column of tobacco in said chamber and transferring the severed charge to bunch rolling position, said charge-severing and transferring means including a vertically reciprocable slide-rod, a charge-cutting knife supported from said rod, a charge-measuring pocket normally supported from said rod in a horizontal position aligned with the measuring chamber to form a continuation thereof, a device for turning said pocket into a vertical position after the charge therein has been severed by said knife, and mechanism for ejecting the charge from said pocket when the latter is in a vertical position.

5. The combination with a hopper for holding a supply of scrap tobacco, said hopper being provided with an outlet in its bottom, of a transfer pocket underlying said outlet, a measuring chamber underlying said pocket and provided with a hinged gate adapted to be swung open to admit tobacco the measuring chamber, mechanism for intermittently oscillating said pocket to move it into registry with the outlet of said hopper to receive a quantity of tobacco therefrom and then carry said quantity into position above said measuring chamber for delivery thereto, means independent of said mechanism for swinging open said gate to open it while said pocket is in filling position and keeping it open while said pocket oscillates, knives coacting to separate the quantity of tobacco in said pocket from the mass of tobacco in said hopper and confine it in said u pocket while it is being carried into position above said measuring chamber positive means for closing and separating said knives, means fo'rcompressing the tobacco deposited in said chamber,

and means for severing a bunch charge from the compressed column of tobacco in said chamber and transferring the severed charge .to bunch rolling position.

65 6. The combination with a hopper for holding a supply of' scrap tobacco, said hopper having outlet in its bottom, of a transfer pocket underlying said outlet, a measuring chamber underlying said pocket and provided with a hinged 70 gate adapted to be swung open to admit tobaccov to the measuring chamber, mechanism for intermittently oscillating said pocket to move it into registry with the outlet of said hopper to receive a quantity of tobacco therefrom and then carry 75 said quantity into position above said measuring chamber for delivery thereto, means independent of said mechanism for swinging open said gate and keeping it open while said pocket oscillates, knives coacting to separate the quantity of tobacco in said pocket from the mass of tobacco in 6 said hopper and confine it in said pocket while it is being carried into position above said measuring chamber, means for closing and separating said knives, means for compressing the tobacco deposited in said chamber, means for 1Q severing a bunch charge from the compressed column of tobacco in said chamber and transferring the severed bunch charge to bunch rolling position, and means controlled by said tobacco compressing means for incapacitating said 15 mechanism when there is a quantity of tobacco sufficient for more than two bunch charges in the measuring chamber and thereafter rehabilitating said mechanism.

'7. The combination with a hopper for holding 20 a supply of scrap tobacco, said hopper being pro.- vided with an outlet in its bottom, of a transfer pocket underlying said outlet, a measuring chamber underlying said pocket and provided with a hinged gate adapted to be swung open 2- to admit tobacco to the measuring chamber, mechanism for intermittently oscillating said pocket to move it into registry with the outlet of said hopper to receive a quantity of tobacco therefrom and then carry said quantity into 30. position above said measuring chamber for delivery thereto, means independent of said mechanism for swinging open said gate while said pocket is in filling position and keeping it open, while said pocket oscillates, knives coacting to 35 separate the quantity of tobacco in said pocket "from the mass of tobacco in said hopper and confine it in said pocket while it is being carried into position above said measuring chamber, means for closing and separating said 40 knives, means for compressing the tobacco deposited in said chamber, a bunch rolling table,

and means for severing a bunch charge from the compressed column of tobacco in said chamber and transferring the severed charge to said 5 bunch rolling table. l

8. The combination with a hopper for holding a supply of scrap tobacco, said hopper being provided with an outlet in its bottom, of a transfer pocket underlying said outlet, a measuring chamber underlying said pocket and provided with a hinged gate adapted to be. swung open to admit tobacco to the measuring chamber, mechanism for intermittently oscillating said pocket to move it into registry with the outlet of said hopper to receive a quantity of tobacco therefrom and then carry said quantity into position above said measuring chamber for delivery thereto, means independent of said mechanism for swinging open sa'id gate while said 50 pocket is in filling position and keeping it open while said pocket oscillates, knives coacting to separate the quantity of tobacco in said pocket from the mass of tobacco in said hopper and confine it in said pocket while it is being carried 05 into position above said measuring chamber, means for closing and separating said knives, means for compressing the tobacco deposited in said chamber, a bunch rolling table, and means for severing a bunch charge from the compressed column of tobacco in said chamber and transferring the severed charge to said bunch rolling table, said charge-severing and transferring means including a vertically reciprocable sliderod, a charge-cutting knife supported from said 7 v accuses rod, a charge-measuring pocket noally ported from said rod in a horizontal position aligned with the measuring chamber to form a continuation thereof, a device for turning said pocket into a vertical position after the charge therein has been severed by said knife, and mechanism for compressing the charge into substantially square cross-section on the table and ejecting the compressed charge from said pocket while the latter is in avertical position.

9. The combination with a hopper for holding a supply oi sc'rap tobacco, said hopper being provided with an outlet in its bottom, of a transfer pocket underlying said outlet, a measuring chamber underlying said pocket and provided with a single hinged gate adapted to be swung open to admit tobacco to the measuring chamber, mechanism for intermittently oscillating said pocket to move it into registry with the outlet of said hopper to receive a quantity of tobacco therefrom and then carry said quantity into position above said measuring chamber for delivery thereto, a housing extending fro the outlet of said hopper to a position above said gate, knives coacting toseparate the quantity oi tobacco. in said pocket from the mass of tobacco in said hopper and confine it in said pocket while it is being carried into position above said measuring chamber, means for closing and separating said knives, a tray underlying the lower end of said housing to receive tobacco spillage from said pocket, means independent of said mechanism for swinging open said gate and then swinging out said tray, whereby the tobacco spillage accumulated on said tray and the tobacco discharged from said pocket will be delivered to said measuring chamber, means for compressing the tobacco deposited in said measuring chamber, and means for severing a bunch charge from the compressed coin of tobacco in said measuring chamber and transferring it to bunch rolling position. i

10. The combination with a hopper for holding a supply of scrap tobacco, said hopper being provided with an outlet in its bottom, of a transfer pocket underlying said outlet, a measuring chamber underlying said pocket and provided with a hinged gate adapted to be swung open to at tobacco to the measuring chamber, mechanism for intermittently oscillating said pocket to move it into registry with the outlet of said hopper to receive a quantity of tobacco therefrom and then carry said quantity into position above said measuring chamber for delivery thereto, a housing extending from the outlet of said hopper to a position above said gate, a chute underlying the lower end of said housing and the discharging position of said pocket to intercept the discharged tobacco so that its impact thereon will break up wads of tobacco, knives coacting to separate the quantity of tobacco in said pocket from the mass of tobacco in said hopper and confine it in said I pocket while it is being carried into position above said measuring chamber, means for closing and separating said knives, 'a. tray underlying the lower end of said housing to receive tobacco spillage from said pocket, means independent of said mechanism for swinging open said gate and swinging out said tray, whereby the tobacco spillage accumulated on said tray and the tobacco discharged from said pocket will be guided into said measuring chamber by said chute,- means ior compressing the tobacco deposited in said chamber, and means for severing a bunch charge from the compressed column of tobacco in said chamber and transferring it to bunch rolling position.

ill. The combination with a hopper for holding a supply of scrap tobacco, said hopper being provided with an outlet, of a'transier pocket underlying said outlet, a measuring chamber underlying said'pocket, mechanism fpr intermittently oscillating said pocket to move it into registry with the'outlet of said hopper to receive a quantity of tobacco therefrom and then carry said m quantity into position above said measuring chamber for delivery thereto, knives coacting to separate the quantity of tobacco in said pocket from the mass of tobacco in said hopper and then a supply of scrap tobacco, said hopper being provided with an outlet, of a'transfer pocket underlying said outlet, a measuring chamber underlying said pocket, mechanism for intermittently oscillating said pocket to move it into registry 39 with the outlet of said hopper to receive a quantity of tobacco therefrom and then carry said quantity into position above said measuring chamber for delivery thereto, knives coacting to separate the quantity of tobacco in said pocket 35, from the mass of tobacco in said hopper and then confine it in said pocket while it is being carried into position above said measuring chamber, means for closing and separating said knives, means for compressing the tobacco deposited in 40 said chamber, and means for severing a bunch charge from the compressed column of tobacco in said chamber, one of said knives being adapted to close the hopper outlet when said pocket moves out of filling position. v

13. The combination with a hopper for holding a supply, of scrap tobacco, said hopper being provided with an outlet, of a transfer pocket underlying said outlet, mechanism for intermittently oscillating said pocket to move it into registry m with the outlet of said hopper to receive a quantity of tobacco therefrom and then carry said quantity into' delivery position, knives coacting to separate the quantity of tobacco in said pocket from the mass of tobacco in said hopper, and means for closing and separating said knives, one oi said knives being adapted to elose the hopper outlet when said pocket moves out of filling position. i

14. The combination with a hopper for holding a supply of scrap tobacco, said hopper being provided with an outlet, of a transfer pocket underlying said outlet, mechanism for intermittently oscillating'said pocket to move it into registry with the outlet of said hopper to receive a quantity of tobacco therefrom and then carry said quantity into delivery position, arcuate knives coasting to separate the quantity of tobacco'in said pocket from the mass of tobacco in said hopper and confine it in said pocket while the latter moves from filling to delivery position, and means for closing and separating said knives, said mechanism includii'ig a shaftv on which said pocket is loosely mounted, a reciprocating rack geared to said shaft, and a spider fixed to said shaft and having an arm adapted to move said pocket from filling towarddelivery position.

15. The combination with a hopper for holding a supply of scrap tobacco, said hopper being provided with an outlet, of a transfer pocket and means for closing and separating said knives,

said mechanism including a shaft on which said pocket is loosely mounted, a reciprocating rack geared to said shaft, and a spider fixed to said shaft and having an arm adapted to move said pocket from filling toward delivery position, and one of said knives being fixed tosaid spider.

16. The combination with a hopper for holding a supply of scrap tobacco, said hopper being provided with an outlet, of a transfer pocket underlying said outlet, mechanism for intermittently oscillating said pocket to move it into registry with the outlet of said hopper to receive a quantity of tobacco therefrom and then carry said quantity into delivery position, arcuate knives coacting to separate the quantity of tobacco in said pocket from the mass of tobacco in said hopper and confine it in said pocket while the latter moves from filling to delivery position, and means for closing and separating said knives, said mechanism including a shaft on which said pocket is loosely mounted, a reciprocating rack geared to said shaft, and a spider fixed to said shaft and having an arm adapted to move said pocket from filling toward delivery position, and one of said knives beingflxed to said spider and of a length sufficient to close the hopper outlet when said pocket is in delivery position.

17. The combination with a hopper for holding a supply of scrap tobacco, said hopper being provided with an outlet, of a transfer pocket underlying said outlet, mechanism for intermittently oscillating said pocket to move it into registry with the outlet of said hopper to receive a quantity of tobacco therefrom and then carry said quantity to discharging position, a pair of arcu ate knives coacting to separate the quantity of tobacco in said pocket from the mass of tobacco in the hopper and then confine it in said pocket while the latter moves from filling to discharging position, said mechanism including a shaft on which said pocket is loosely mounted, a reciprocating rack geared to said shaft, and a spider fixed to said shaft and having an arm adapted to move the pocket from filling toward discharging position, and said means including epicyclic gearing connected to said knives for separating the same.

18. The combination with a hopper for holding a supply of scrap tobacco, said hopper being provided with an outlet, of a transfer pocket underlying said outlet, and mechanism for oscillating said pocket to move it into registry with the outlet of said hopper to receive a quantity of tobacco therefrom and then carry said quantity into discharging position, said mechanism including a shaft on which said pocket is loosely mounted, a reciprocating rack geared to said shaft, and a spider fixed to said shaft and having an arm adapted to move said pocket from filling toward discharging position.

19. The combination with a hopper for holding a supply of scrap tobacco, said hopper being provided'with an outlet, of a transfer pocket underlying said outlet, mechanism for oscillating said pocket to move it into registry with the outlet of 5 said hopper to receive a quantity of tobacco therefrom and then carry said quantity into discharging position, a housing for covering said pocket while it is moving from filling to discharging position, a tray underlying the lower end of 10 said housing to catch tobacco spillage from said pocket, and means for swinging said tray out of operative position to discharge the tobacco spillage accumulated thereon.

20. The combination with a hopper for holding 15 a supply of scrap tobacco, said hopper having an outlet in its bottom, of a transfer pocketunderlying said outlet, mechanism for intermittently oscillating said pocket to move it into registry with the outlet of said hopper to receive a quantity of tobacco therefrom and then carry said quantity into delivery position, and opposed sets of oscillatory agitators for raking the mass of tobacco from the sides of the hopper toward the outlet thereof.

21. The combination-with a hopper for holding a supply of scrap tobacco, said hopper having an outlet in its bottom, of a transfer pocket underlying said outlet, mechanism for intermittent- 1y oscillating said pocket to move it into registry with the outlet of said hopper to receive a quantity of tobacco therefrom and then carry said quantity into delivery position, opposed sets of oscillatory agitators for raking the mass of tobacco from the sides of the hopper toward the tobacco is discharged, a pair of knives coacting to confine the tobacco in said pocket, and positive means for closing and separating said knives, whereby all scraps projecting therebetween will be severed.

23. The combination with a transfer pocket, of 5 mechanism for intermittently oscillating said pocket from a. position in which it may be filled with tobacco to another position in which the tobacco is discharged, said mechanism including a shaft on which said pocket is loosely mounted,

a reciprocating rack geared to said shaft, and a spider fixed to said shaft and having an arm adapted to move said pocket from filling to discharging position. a

24. The combination with a measuring chamher adapted to receive a quantity of tobacco, of mechanism for compressing the tobacco in said chamber, and means for severing a bunch charge from the compressed column of tobacco in said chamber and transferring the charge to bunch rolling position, said mechanism including a compressing plunger and means for imparting a hammering motion to said plunger while it is compressing said column of tobacco, whereby the tobacco will be distributed evenly in the column. I

fiom the compressed column of tobacco in said 76 chamber and transferring the charge to bunch rolling position, said means including a vertically reciprocable slide-rod, a charge-cutting knife supported from said rod, 9. charge-measuring pocket normally supported from said rod in a horizontal position aligned with the measurin chamber to form a continuation thereof, a device for turning said pocket into a vertical position after thecharge therein has been severed by said knife, and mechanism for ejecting the charge from said pocket when the latter is in a vertical position.

26. The combination with a measuring chamber adapted to receive a quantity of tobacco, of mechanism for compressing the tobacco in said chamber, and means for severing a bunch charge from the compressed column of tobacco in said chamber, said mechanism including a compressing plunger and means for imparting a hammering motion to said plunger while it is compressing said column of tobacco, whereby the tobacco will be distributed evenly in the column.

27. The combination with a transfer pocket, of mechanism for intermittently oscillating said pocket from a position in which it may be filled with tobacco to another position in which the tobacco is discharged, a pair of knives coacting to confine the tobacco in said pocket, means for closing and separating said knives, and suction means for removing dust from said pocket whil it is in filling position only.

28. The combination with a transfer pocket, of

'mechanism for intermittently oscillating said pocket from a position in which it may be filled with tobacco to another position in which the tobacco is discharged, a pair of knives coacting to confine the tobacco in said pocket, means for closing and separating said knives, and suction means for removing dust from said pocket while it is in filling position only, said pocket having a perforated false bottom and a dust communicating with the interior of the pocket below said false bottom and said suction means including a stationary pipe arranged to communicate with said duct only while said pocket is in filling position and adapted to be connected to a source of suction.

29. The combination with a transfer pocket, of mechanism for intermittently oscillating said pocket from a position in which it may be filled with tobacco to another position in which the tobacco is discharged, and suction means for removing dust from said pocket while it is in filling position only.

30. The combination with a transfer pocket, of mechanism for intermittentlyoscillating said pocket from. a position in which it may be filled with tobacco to another position in which the tobacco is discharged, and suction means for removing dust from said pocket while it is in 'filling position only, said pocket having a perforated false bottom and a duct communicating with the interior of the pocket below said false bottom, and said suction means including a stationary pipe arranged to communicate with said duct only while said pocket is in filling position and adapted to be connected to a source of sue tion.

31. The combination with a vertically reciprocable slide-rod, a charge-cutting knife supported from said rod, a charge-measuring pocket normally supported from said rod in a horizontal position, a device for turning said pocket into a vertical position after a bunch charge therein has been severed by said knife, and mechanism for ejecting the charge from said pocket when the latter is in a vertical position.

32. The combination with -a vertically reciprocable slide-rod, a charge-cutting knife supported from said rod, a charge-measuring pocket 5 normally supported from said rod in a horizontal position, a device for turning said pocket into a vertical positionv after a bunch charge therein has been severed by said knife, and mechanism for ejecting the charge from said pocket when 1 the latter is in a vertical position, said mecha-', nism including an ejecting plunger slidably mounted in said pocket and adjusting screws for limiting the inward movement of the plunger in said pocket, whereby the thickness of the launch 15 charge may be varied by adjustment of" said screws.

33. In a cigar bunch machine, an enclosure for forming a column of tobacco, having a tobacco receiving opening and a tobacco delivery opening, 20 a chute adjacent said receiving opening, means for delivering scrap tobacco to said chute for gravity movement into'said opening, a tobacco charge measuring chamber of rectangular crosssection having one side open, said chamber being 25 substantially greater in depth from the open side to the opposite rear side than in thickness taken at right angles to said depth, arranged to be positioned with its open end registering with one end of said column, means for forcing tobacco of said column into said chamber, a cutter for severing the charge, movable along said opening in the direction of said thickness, a rolling apron, and mechanism for moving said measuring chamber from said registering position to a substantially vertical position with its open side adjacent said apron to deliver the charge edgewise against said apron.

1 34. The combination with bunch rolling means,

of means for providing a mass of tobacco containing more tobacco than is required for the bunch, said mass being of a thickness substantially less than the width of the bunch, means for supporting said-mass in horizontal position,

a measuring chamber positioned to register with one edge of said mass having the side thereof nearest the mass open, said measuring chamber having a depth from front to back substantially greater than the width of the bunch, and means for moving said chamber from a position with its open side in register with said mass to a vertical position in which it delivers the charge into said rolling means cdgewise, a hopper for scrap tobacco on a level above said mass, and means for periodically removing increments of scrap from said hopper and dumping them onto said means. c

I 35. In a scrap bunch cigar machine, the combination with a hopper having a bottom delivery opening and having walls downwardly inclined 60 toward said opening, of elongated agitators located on either side of said opening, and means for giving the tips of said agitators opposite feeding movements along paths relatively close to said walls, and toward said opening and return as movements along paths relatively distant from said walls.

36. In a scrap bunch cigar machine, the combination with a hopper having a bottom delivery opening and having walls downwardly inclined toward said opening, of elongated agitators located on either-side of said opening, and'means for giving the, tips of said agitators opposite feeding movements along paths relatively close to said walls, and toward said opening and re- 76 turn movements along paths relatively distant from said walls, said means including mechanism guiding the agitators for travel in a generally endwise direction during their return movement to render them inefiective during the latter movement.

37. The combination with a hopper for scrap tobacco having an outlet in its bottom portion, a transfer member having a cylindrical surface fitting said outlet with the curvature of said surface extending upwardly into said hopper, a transfer pocket in said member adjoining said surface, mechanism for imparting intermittently oscillating movement to said member to move said pocket upwardly through said outlet and into said hopper as a result of said movement; knives adjacent opposite sides of said pocket, and means for operating at least one of said knives relative to the pocket while the pocket is within the hopper to separate the tobacco within the pocket from the remaining tobacco in the hopper.

38. The combination with a hopper for scrap tobacco having an outlet in its bottom portion, a transfer member having a cylindrical surface fitting said outlet with the curvature of said surface extending upwardly into said hopper, a transfer pocket in said member adjoining said surface, mechanism for imparting intermittently oscillating movement to said member to move said pocket upwardly through said outlet and into said hopper as a result of said movement, knives adjacent opposite sides of said pocket, and means for operating at least one of said knives relative to the pocket while the pocket is within the hopper to separate the tobacco within the pocket from the remaining tobacco in the hopper, said means including mechanism mounting said knife on the transfer member for movement thereon relative fitting said outlet with the curvature of said surface extending upwardly into said hopper, a transfer pocket in said member adjoining said surface, mechanism for imparting intermittently oscillating movement to said member to move said pocket upwardly through said outlet and into said hopper as a result of said movement, knives adjacent opposite sides of said pocket, and means for operating at least one of said knives relative to the pocket while the pocket is within the hopper to separate the tobacco within the pocket from the remaining tobacco in the hopper, said means including mechanism actuating each of said knives toward the other.

40. The combination with a hopper for scrap tobacco having an outlet in its bottom portion, a transfer member having a cylindrical surface fitting said outlet with the curvature of said surface extending upwardly into said hopper, a transfer pocket in said member adjoining said surface, mechanism for imparting intermittently oscillating movement to said member to move said pocket upwardly through said outlet and into said hopper as a result of said movement, knives adjacent opposite sides of said pocket, and means for operating at least one of said knives relative to the pocket while the pocket is within the hopper to separate the tobacco within the pocket from the remaining tobacco in the hopper, said knife being arcuate in shape to conform to the curvature of said transfer member.

41. The combination with a hopper for scrap tobacco having an outlet, a transfer member, a

tobacco receiving pocket in said member, mechanism for imparting to and fro movement to said member to move the pocket to and from tobacco receiving relationship to said outlet, a knife movably mounted on said member adjacent one 5 side of said pocket, and means for positively operating said knife in the direction of return movement of the pocket while the pocket is at said outlet to separate the tobacco within the pocket from the remaining tobacco, whereby return movement of the member will not tend to open the knife through resistance of scraps remaining at the outlet.

42. A portioning device for scrap bunch machines comprising a hopper for scrap having an 15 outlet in its lower portion a pair of opposed jaws mounted for movement toward and away from each other and for movement in unison about a generally horizontal axis below said outlet, actuating means for swinging said jaws about said 20 axis into said hopper and relative to each other separate a portion from the tobacco in the hopper, and for then swinging the jaws in unison to withdraw the separated portion, and extended arcuate parts adjacent the operating parts of 25 said jaws fitting the outlet opening in said hopper and operating to prevent passage of tobacco from the hopper other than between the opposed portions of said jaws.

.43. A portioning device for scrap bunch cigar 30 machines comprising a hopper for scrap having an outlet, a scrap transfer member having a to and fro motion from tobacco receiving position at said outlet to a tobacco delivering position distant from said outlet, jaws on said member at 85 least one of which is movable toward another at tobacco receiving position to retain a tobacco portion, said jaws being subject to having straggling scraps projecting from between the jaws,

and a relatively stationary knife coacting with 40 the jaws to shear oif said projecting scrap.

44. In a cigar bunch machine, an enclosure for forming a column of tobacco, having a tobacco delivery opening, a tobacco charge measuring chamber having one side open, said chamber 45 being substantially greater in depth from the open side to the opposite rear side than in thickness taken at right angles to said depth to produce a charge, of greater depth than thickness, arranged to be positioned with its open end registering with one end of said column, means for forcing the tobacco of said column into said chamber, a cutter for severing the charge in said chamber, movable across said opening in the di rection of said thickness, a bunch rolling apron, and mechanism for moving said measuring chamher from said registering position to a position with its open side adjacent said apron to deliver the charge edgewise against said apron, a plunger in said chamber facing said open side, and means 60 operating said plunger to eject the charge and compress it edgewise against said apron to render the depth and thickness of the charge substantially equal before rolling.

45. In a cigar bunch machine, a tobacco charge 65 measuring chamber having one side open, said chamber being substantially greater in depth from the open side to the opposite rear side than in thickness taken at right angles to said depth to produce a charge of greater depth than thick- 7 ness, means for pushing tobacco into said chamher, a cutter for severing the charge, movable along said open side, in the direction of said thickness, a rolling apron, and mechanism for moving said measuring chamber from tobacco receiving position to a position with its open side adjacent said apron to deliver the charge edgewise againstsaid apron, a plunger in said chamber facing said'open side, and means operating said plunger to eject the charge and compress it edgewise against said apron, said means including a yieldable device for placing a predetermined compressing pressure on said plunger.

46. In a cigar bunch machine, a tobacco charge measuring chamber having one side open, means for forcing tobacco into said chamber, a cutter for severing the charge, movable along said open side, a rolling apron, and mechanism for moving said measuring chamber from tobacco receiving position to a position with its open side adjacent said apron to deliver the charge against said apron,'a plunger. in said chamber facing said open side, and means operating said plunger ,to eject the charge and compress it against said apron, said means including a spring for placing a .predetermined compressing pressureon said plunger,

and devices for adjusting the tension of said 10 

